The Woman at the Well — Bible audio story cover art

The Woman at the Well

John 4:1-42

She came to draw water alone. She left and brought the whole town.

Jesus is traveling through Samaria — territory Jews normally avoid. He sits by a well at noon, tired and thirsty. A Samaritan woman arrives to draw water — alone, at the hottest hour, avoiding the other women. Jesus asks for a drink. She's shocked: Jews don't talk to Samaritans, and men don't speak to unaccompanied women. He offers her living water. She's intrigued but confused. Then Jesus reveals he knows her life: five husbands and the man she's with now isn't her husband. She tries to shift to theology — where should we worship? Jesus answers: a time is coming when true worshipers will worship in spirit and truth. She mentions the Messiah. Jesus says: I who speak to you am he. She drops her water jar and runs to tell the town.